Dual wheel assembly



P 1949. w. ALDEN 2,482,824

DUAL WHEEL ASSEMBLY Filed Nov. 29, 1945 2 SheetsSheet 1 Herbert W- A/de/a H. w. ALDEN DUAL WHEEL ASSEMBLY Sept. 27, 1949.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 29, 1945 jjwuc/ w Patented Sept. 27, 1949 Application November 29, itgayseria n tenses 12 .Glaims.

This. inventionrelat es -to a dual wheel assembly and novel wheel structure, together with means -forfquickly mounting the wheels inaccurately assembled spaced-apart relation on-;the non- -driven axle of a trailer or" similar vehicle.

One of theob'j ectspf' the present invention is to{ provide an easily operable means which -is *read'ilyaccessible 'a fter'the two wheels have been *mountedomth'e axle for independently adjustingsaid'-wheels -and-"'-their respective bearing means,"into-*cooperative relation with axially spaced wheel locating--meansupon the axle.

Another object ofthe invention resides in the provision-ofa novel backing orsupporting plate ffor the brake actuating mechanism of the inner wheel and meansior-rnountingsaid plate upon the axle whereby said brake mechanis'm mayfbe "displaced" inwardly 'alon'g -the axle for servicing "Without:dismounting-:'either of the}- wheels, or said supporting plate andthebrake mechanism may be removed outwardly over the axle-end,

'a-fter-th'e-two- 'wheelshave first been dismounted.

*Anadditionalobject *ofjthe invention is to provide a novel vehicle' wheel structure which isnot only radially' rigid but will effectively nullify the distorting effects "of high circumferential braking torque forces. v

*Itis I also ;-'thegeneral aim and puip'ose of the :present'invention to provide-a n'ov'el 'wh'eePstructure and-dual wheel and axle .assembly,,""the production. costoifwhich is reasonably low, and in "whichwhe several parts are 'alssern b led and arranged to "'efilcientlyjiunction with, minimum maintenance expense. I

[.With, theuab'ove, andnotheraobject's .in ,yiew the invention comprises the, improved; (1112.1 ,Wh'el Qassernblycand .the novel wheel. structure .a's-wiu hereinafter. be [more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying. drawings, and subsequently incorporated inthesubjoined claims. V

r .In. the drawings, wherein I. have. illustrated .one simple. and practicalembodiment, off the; inven- Qtionv and fin which similar; reference -characters .indicate; corresponding .parts throughoutthe; several-views: r I I a Figure 1 is a -d-iametrical-sectiorn illustrating 'a preferred embodiment of my; "improyed- ,dual .wheel and axle .assembly;

,- JEigure 12 is a partial =f-ront; side elevation show- .ing; the ,lnovelinner wheel; structure in its;-?preqferredsembediment;

Figure 53 is airaem'entary sec ional wiewtot the sinner wheelijstructuneataken substantially eon-.the line 33 of Figure 2; and L L Fig'ure "4 is a-sin iil'ar sectional view taken .sub-

"s'tj any on the tine 4-4 01 Figure 2.

Re'fe'rring i furtherdetail to the drawings, *and- 'more; part cularly to Figure 1-thereof, the 5 axle-indicatedgenerally at J0 may be a fixed or non driven stub axle of a trailer or other vehicle which is's'Iipp Pt'edat each end by a pair of -groundengaging wheels, generally indicated at l2 and I4, respectively arranged in-closely spae'ed apart relation and providing a dual wheel *s i port f0r='the aXle.--The wheels lZand 14 are fof -generally similar structural form except as will appear, andfin the following description the -same-reference characters will be applied to cor- 15 responding-parts thereof.

With particular reference to Figures 2-4 wherein outer yv heel--l2- is illustrated by way of 'example each whe'elinclu'des a cylindrical hub portion-"f6: '-'-I' his'-hub portion of the wheel struc- "tureis integral-lyponnected with a concentrically spaced 'brake'drum bolting-flange (8 by means of a pliirality of hollow radially. disposedribs --orspok'es-2fl,- the open sides of which face toward --th"e inner end=of the hub 16. .The outer .front 5 WalL'ZZmf each-rib' 20 is slightly inclined inwardly from the -h-ub x1 6. withrespect to a plane normal t'o the hubaxis.--The inner. edges of the opposite sidewalls ot the ribs. 2|] are integrally connected -(by.'-.the. fwebs =.24,..;which are inclined outwardly 3o from-the, h'ubrlB vin convergent relation to the front walls 22 of the ribs. It willbe noted that -the-Zwebsl;2 4 are.located at'the, inner side. of ,the fiangetjtbso. that; the, spaces between spokes .20 :openyoutwardly Of? the ;wheel. 1 This flange is icl with?. irc mfe ent a spa bolt.

.cei inerone in siM0 rec 1 ta a t i =-;bo1 (n t-show t i dly e ur e fla 2350i al-b ake driim 3Q;,to;the inneriace ofv the -40 n El i r s z-la lt e Side wellsiof iailalignm nt with each rib 2n flange [8 s' ot i l i h 1 a re yiflit s d o wa y t d ssjilwhijc se q in e co n w th the outer end of the-rib 2!] by the side 'flange's'"-34." rhe outer endof each rib Z'Q'has a "central laterally projecting lug} 3t integrally 'forrned-therewith.

Each boss32-of outer-WheelIZ is formed at its -euterside{withanareuate 'seatingsuriace 38 f'or-a= tire rim olampingring40.- The boss 32 also .has -a bolt receivi ng open-man With the front "endo-f which an opening in flange 44 on the ring 40 registers to receive a bolt 46. A lug 48 when adjusted on the outer end of bolt 46 by a nut 50 cooperates with the ring 40 to securely clamp and hold a tire rim 52 in fixed relation to the wheel structure. The inner end of the clamping lug 48 has rocking engagement n the seat 54 formed in the end of lug 36 on the wheel structure.

However, if desired, instead of providing a separate clamping ring 48, this ring may form a part of the Wheel structure, extending between and integrally connecting the lugs 32, as shown at 46 in the illustration of the wheel I4.

The axle I0 is formed with an inner section 54 of reduced diameter providing an annular locating shoulder 56 for the inner wheel I4. This axle section 54 at its outer end is threaded as at 58 for a purpose to be presently explained, and beyond this threaded portion the axle is formed with the slightly outwardly decreasingly tapered section 66, upon which the sleeve 62 of an adapter flange 64 is engaged. At the outer end of axle section 60, a diametrically reducedthreaded section 66 is provided to receive an adjustable ring 68 between which and the outer end of the sleeve 62 a suitable sealing member is interposed. By the adjustment of the ring 68, it is evident that the sleeve 62 may be forced inwardly on the tapered axle section 60 and frictionally locked in rigid connection therewith.

At the outer end of section 66, the axle is formed with a further reduced section I2, providing at the inner end thereof the locating shoulder id for the outer wheel I2. In spaced relation from the section I2, the axle is formed with a further reduced section I6 and terminates in the threaded end portion I8.

The hub I5 of the outer wheel I2 is provided at its outer end with an internally projecting hollow cylindrical boss 80 to receive a bearing assembly 82, the outer race of which abuts an inwardly projecting flange 84 on the boss 80. At its inner end, hub I6 is formed with a cylindrical recess 86 to receive a bearing assembly 88, the outer race of which abuts a flange 90 at the inner end of the recess. The inner race of bearing assembly 88 has a press fit upon the axle section I2, while the inner race of bearing 82 has a press fit on axle section I6. Preferably, a lubricant seal support plate 92 is interposed between the inner race of bearing 88 and the shoulder I4 of the axle.

A suitable lock nut and fastener assembly 94 is mounted on the threaded end I8 of the axle and by adjustment thereof the wheel I2 with its two bearing assemblies may be axially adjusted as a unit to take up axial play in the bearings and to maintain contact of plate 92 against shoulder '54 on the axle. Preferably, the end of the wheel axle and adjustable assembly 94 are enclosed within a protectin cover member 96 detachably mounted on the outer end of wheel hub I6.

To the adapter flange 64 a backing or brake mechanism support plate 98 is securely fixed by suitable bolts or rivets indicated at I00, which also secure an annular oil retainer cup I02 to said flange. A slinger ring I04 suitably attached to the inner end of the wheel hub I6 directs excess oil passing the bearing 88 into said retainer and prevents the same from collecting upon the parts of the brake mechanism and drum 30.

The usual brake shoes are mounted on the plate 98 with the operating mechanism therefor and said plate is provided with an opening I06, in which is adapted to be mounted the usualhy- 4 draulic actuating cylinder for the brake mecha-- nism (not shown).

The hub I6 or inner wheel I4 is provided, in spaced relation to each of its ends, with internal flanges I08 and III), said flanges forming abut ment stops for the outer races of the hearing assemblies H2 and H4, respectively. A lubricant seal support plate I I6 is interposed between inner bearing assembly I I4 and shoulder 56 on the axle. Upon the threaded portion 58 of the axle, a lock nut and fastener assembly H3 is adjustably mounted to coact with bearing assembly H2 and axially adjust the wheel I4 with its bearing assemblies on the axle section 54 and maintain abutting contact of plate IIB against locating shoulder 56 on the axle. It will thus be seen that independent bearing adjustment is provided for each wheel and by proper adjustment of the assemblies a l and II8 on the axle, the two wheels may be at all times maintained in their correct axially spaced apart position.

In inwardly spaced relation from the shoulder 56 an adapter flange I is welded or otherwise rigidly fixed to the axle I0. The backing or supporting plate for the brake mechanism of wheel It comprises an inner relatively narrow annular section I22, which is detachably secured to the outer side of flange I20 by bolts indicated at I24. The major relatively wide annular section I26 of the backing plate is provided at its inner edge with circumferentiallyspaced apertures to receive stud bolts I28 upon which nuts I are threaded to detachably secure the plate section I26 in rigidly fixed relation to the inner side of inner plate section I22. The stud bolts I28 also secure the lubricant retainer ring I32 to the outer face of plate section I22, to receive and reject from the brake mechanism space any lubricant passing through bearing H4, in the manner above explained in connection with wheel I2.

The backing plate section I26 is substantially of the same cross-sectional form as plate 98 previously described and is provided with a mountin opening I34 for the usual actuating cylinder for they brake operating mechanism mounted thereon.

From the foregoing description, it will be evident that when it is necessary to service the brake mechanism of the inner wheel I4, this may be readily done by removing the nuts I30 and detaching the backing plate section I26 from section I22 thereof and moving said section I26 away from wheel I4 inwardly along the axle to a convenient position where access may be had to all partsof the brake mechanism. Thus it is not necessary to dismount either wheel from the axle, and access may also be freely had to the interior of wheel I4 and its drum 30 for inspection and such repairs as may be necessary.

For the purpose of transmitting the hydraulic medium to the brake actuating cylinder mounted upon the backing plate 98 associated with the outer wheel I2, I provide the axle with a longitudinally extending coaxial passage I36, the inner end of which opens upon the periphery of the axle in inwardly spaced relation from the adapter flange I20 through the obliquely inclined duct I38. The outer end of passage I36 also opens upon the periphery of axle section 60 through the radially disposed duct I40. Suitable flexible tubing connects duct I38 with the master cylinder or other supply source. A similar tubing connects the outlet duct I with the cylinder of the hydraulic brake actuator for wheel I2.

Inthe event that the a'x-le beam is solid in- "stead-of drilling-internal passages 36, 1 i3-8 an'd I- lll,- it "will probably be more -expedient i-tomill an external-channel alo-ng 'the surface bit theaxle deep enough to accommodate a suitable lengthof fluid conducting conduit extending from the inner side of the inner wheel to the space between the wheels. ;.-From= the;above deseription the; several practical advantages of the presentlinvention Will-be readily appreciated. Since the adjusting assembly H8 for'theunner'wheel, as'we'll'as the adjustingiassembly 94 for themuter wheel,=;is-iieasi'ly :a'ccessible,=said wheels mayvbe.independentlyadjusted at any time andlmaintained incorrectly located, axially spaced apartre'lationupon the axle shaft. It will also beseen that I 'h'ave-lprovided' very: simple means for-mounting thearbrake 'mechanism of .the inner wheel on-the axle's'o'that it may be quickly serviced, without requiring the dismounting of either wheel. Also, after both wheels are dismounted from the axle, the entire backing plate with the brake mechanism for the inner wheel thereon may then be moved outwardly over the end of the axle, by merely removing the bolts or screws I24 connecting said backing plate with the adapter flange I20.

The novel wheel structure herein described is also an important feature of the invention, as it provides a wheel which may be easily and inexpensively fabricated, having maximum radial rigidity, and, by reason of the truss effect of the ribs 20 and webs 24 between the wheel hub and the brake drum carrying flange l8, offering effective resistance to high circumferential braking torque forces which would tend to distort the wheel structure. By the provision of independent braking mechanisms for the wheels, when the brakes are applied and there is greater tractive engagement of one wheel than the other with the road surface, the wheels may have independent rotation about the axle.

Finally, it will be noted that the several cooperating elements of the present invention are of very simple structural form, conducing to low initial production cost and minimum maintenance expense, with maximum efliciency in functional operation.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a dual wheel assembly, an axle having at its outer end axially spaced Wheel locating means, outer and inner dual wheels journalled on said axle for independent rotation, independently adjustable devices directly mounted on the axle at the outer sides of said wheels and cooperating with the respective wheels to urge said wheels in- Wardly on the axle against the respective locating means to maintain said wheels in accurately spaced parallel planes of rotation relative to the axle, a brake mechanism supporting adaptor member mounted on said axle at the inner side of the outer wheel independently of the adjusting device for the inner wheel, and additional means axially adjustable on the axle coacting with said member removablyse'x'zure i the same -i-ntflxed relatiorrto' 'the-axle.

2. In a dual Wheel assembly; an axle, outer and inner dual wheels direetly journalled 'on sai d 'a-xle 5 in closely spaced relation for in depende-nt rotation,: a supporting member for brake-mechanism forthe innenwheel, ah'd'meansfor detachably mounting said member on said axle wherebysai'd -member and the brake-mechanism may-bedisplaced-inWardly"of-'the axle in spaced relation 'from the inner-wheel without dismounting either o'f-saidwheels fromiheaxle, said mounting means including means also permitting-outward removal -of sai'd member and brake mechanism as a-unit 1 5 'from the axle-when-the wheels are dismounted therefrom.

3. The dual-wheel assembly-defined in claim 2,

wherein ana dapter 'flange' is fixed tothe -axle and said brake mechanism supporting membei includes an inner section detachably mounted on the outer side of said flange and an outer section detachably mounted on the inner side of said inner section.

4. In a dual Wheel assembly, an axle having in succession an outwardly facing first stop shoulder, a reduced inner wheel bearing support portion, a first threaded portion, a brake adapter attachment portion, a second outwardly facing stop shoulder, a reduced outer wheel bearing support portion and an outer threaded portion, a retainer on said first threaded portion, an inner wheel and bearing assembly clamped between said retainer and said first stop shoulder, a brake adapter sleeve removably mounted on said attachment 5 portion independently of said inner wheel and bearing assembly and retainer means on said axle for locking the adapter in fixed relation to said axle, an outer retainer on said outer threaded portion, and an outer wheel and bearing assembly 40 clamped between said outer retainer and said second stop shoulder.

5. In a vehicle wheel assembly, an axle, a road wheel journalled thereon, a brake mechanism supporting plate associated with said wheel at the inner side thereof, and means for detachably mounting said plate on the axle in fixed relation to the Wheel, including a part detachably connected with said plate and axle and permitting inward displacement of the plate and brake mechanism relative to said part along the axle in the mounted position of the wheel, or outward unitary removal of said plate and mechanism with said part over the axle end after the wheel has been dismounted.

6. A vehicle wheel comprising a hub portion, a brake drum attachment flange concentrically spaced from said hub portion, and structure integrally connecting said hub and flange embodying a plurality of radial inwardly opening hollow 0 spokes having outer end Walls extending axially of the hub from opposite sides of said flange.

7. The vehicle wheel defined in claim 6, in which the front walls of said spokes are radially inclined inwardly from the hub toward said 5 flange, and wherein said structure includes conecting webs between the inner edges of the side Walls of the spokes radially inclined outwardly from the hub toward said flange.

8. A vehicle wheel comprising a one piece memher having a hub portion and a brake drum supporting flange integrally connected by intermediate wheel structure rigidly maintaining said flange in concentric relation to the hub and in a plane substantially normal to the axis thereof, said intermediate structure embodying a plu rality of hollow radial spokes having parts thereof extending axially in opposite directions from the plane of said flange.

9. The vehicle wheel as defined in claim 8 wherein said parts on one side of said flange close the outer ends of said spokes and are integrally connected between adjacent spokes by laterally projecting flanges concentric with the hub.

10. The vehicle wheel as defined in claim 8, together with tire rim attaching bosses in radial alignment with said spokes integrally formed with the outer periphery of said flange and projecting laterally from one side thereof.

11. The vehicle wheel as defined in claim 8, wherein said structure further includes web sections integrally connecting the side walls of adjacent spokes and forming reinforcing struts radially inclined outwardly from the hub wall to said flange.

'8 12. The Vehicle wheel as defined in claim 11, together with a front connecting wall between the side walls of each spoke convergently inclined inwardly towards said web sections between said hub and flange.

HERBERT W. ALDEN. I

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in' the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,265,741 Burrows May 14, 1918 1,881,097 Sargent Oct. 4, 1932 1,896,821 Keller Feb. '7, 1933 2,082,292 Kendall June 1, 1937 2,263,188 Pascoe Nov. 18, 1941 2,289,166, Ash July '7, 1942 

